Weighing-machine



(No Model. 9 SheetsSheet 1 P. H. RIGHARD$ WEIGHING- MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 31,1897.

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' F. H, RICHARDS;

WEIGHING MACHINE. 'No. 589,284.. Patented Aug. 31 1897.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheet-sSheet 3.

F. H. RICHARDS.

WEIGHING MAGHINE.

No. 589,284. Patented Aug. 31,1897.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 4. 1 H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 589,284. Patented Aug. 31,1897.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 5. P. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MAGHINE.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 6.- P. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

Patented Aug 31,1897.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 7. P. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 589,284. Patented Aug. 31,1897.

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(No Model.) 9 SheetsSheet 8.

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WEIGHING MACHINE.

No. 589,284. Patented Aug. 31,1897. Fiym. q @911.

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(No Model.) 9 Sheets-Sheet 9. P. H. RICHARDS. WEIGHING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 3l, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @EETCE.

FRANCIS II. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORI CONNECTlCUT.

WEIGHING- MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,284, dated August31, 1897'. Application filed May 1'7, 1897- Serial No. 636,937. NomodcldTo all whom it may Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford andState of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Veighin g-Wiach i nes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to weighing-mm chines for weighing and deliveringgranular and similar substances, certain of the improvements beingespecially applicable to machines of the kind disclosed byLetters PatentNo. 572,067, granted to me November 24, 1896.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide, in conjunction withweighing mechanism, overloading and load-reducing means embodying amovably-mounted hopper and means cooperative with said hopper forstarting the load-reducing means in operation. In the present case saidmovably-moun'ted hopper, which is supported for reciprocation, isdesigned to supply an overcharge to the weighing mechanism, and theload-reducing means preferably comprehends as a part thereof a valve ofsuitable construction which is operated at the proper stage by thehopper, constituting an actuator for this purpose to cause the removalof the surplus from the load-receiver.

Another object of the invention is to furnish, in connection with theload-reducing valve and the actuator for operating the same, a devicesuch as a rod for transferring the power of the actuator to the valve ata certain time in the descent of the loadreceiver, whereby said valvewill be opened to permit the surplus or overcharge to pass from theload-recciver, means being also provided for shifting said rod,preferably on the discharge of a load, so that the valve can be againopened by independent means to permit any material on the same or in theloadreducing spout, which is generally employed, to gravitate therefromas such material forms a part of the load.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is a rear elevation of my improved weighing-machine. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the upper part of the machine. Fig. 3 is a sectional planview of the same. taken in the line a a, Fig. 4. Figs. 4, 5, (i, 7, and8 are side elevations as seen from the right in Fig. 1, showing thepositions occupied by the parts during the making and discharging of aload. Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the load reducing means.Figs. '10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are longitudinal central sections of thelower end of the load-receiver and adjacent parts, the same beingrepresented in positions corresponding, respectively, with Figs. 4, 5,6, 7, and 8. Figs. 15, 16, and 17 are longitudinal central sections ofthe supply apparatus in three different positions; and Fig. 18 is asimilar view illustrating a check-valve in position to cut off thesupply from the load-re- Ceiver.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

Any suitable framework may be employed for supporting the various partsof the machine. Said framework is represented consisting of a chamberedbase 2, the side frames and 4, and the brackets 5 and 6, extendingoppositely from the stationary hopper H.

The weighing mechanism may be of any suitable type, it being in thepresent case of a constructionsimilar to that illustrated and describedin the Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to, and consisting of aloadreceiver, such as G, and a plnralityof counterweighted scale-bea ms,as Band B, upon which the same is mounted, said scale-beam beingsupported on the base 2.

The load-receiver preferably has an outlet in its lower end which isnormally covered by a suitable closer, as L, consisting of a flat platepivoted at one side of the discharge-outlet, as at 7, and furnished witha counterweighted arm 8 for shutting the same on the discharge of aload.

The closer L is normally maintained in its shut position by a suitablelatch, as L, pivoted, preferably, to the load-receiver and adapted toengage a suitable member c011- nected with the closer, as the arm 9 ofthe rocker or rocking lever L, pivoted at 10 to the load-receiver, theopposite arm 12 of said lever being connected with the longitudinal link13, pivoted at its lower end to the closer. The latch L is of ordinaryconstruction, it

being counter-weighted and shouldered, as at let, the shoulder of thelatch being designed to engage the arm 9 of the lever.

My present invention coniprehends the employment, in conjunction withthe load-receiver of the weighing mechanism, of overloading andload-reducing means of suitable kinds, preferably successively effectiveduring the weighing of a load.

The overloading means is adapted to supply or deliver to theload-receiver G a mass or quantity of material in excess of or beyondthe predetermined charge, the surplus being subsequently removed by theload-reducing means and the remainder in the load-receiver, after theremoval of the surplus or excess, constituting the true or predeterminedload, is suitably discharged.

The overloading means in the present case comprises avertically-reeiprocatory hopper and a stream-controller cooperativetherewith, said hopper furnishing the necessary power to actuate saidstream-controller and also to start the load-reducing means inoperation, as will hereinafter appear.

The reciprocatory hopper is designated by II, it having a reduceddelivery end 15, whereby it will be caused to retain asufficientquantity of material to insure its lowering or depression, thestream-controller to which I have referred being closed or shut on thedownstroke of the hopper. The reciprocatory hopper H',which isvertically movable, is located with its upper end beneath the mouth ofthe fixed or stationary hopper, it being carried by the two arms 16 and17, secured to the transverse rock-shaft 18, journaled in suitablebearings on the side frames and a, respectively, the two arms beingpivoted, respectively, to the opposite sides of the said hopper. Thereciprocatory hopper H is furnished at its opposite sides with theupright arms 35 and 30, respectively, connected by guide-lin ks 3'7 and38 with the hopper ll.

The action of the hopper H is preferably controlled by the weighingmechanism, and for the purpose of minimizing the power for operating thesame said hopper is preferably balanced, a slidable lmlance-weight 15)being carried by the arm 20, projecting rearward from the rock-shaft 18,said balance-weight being held in an adjusted position by the setscrew21. XVhen the material gravitat-es from the hopper H to enter thereciprocatory hopper H, the latter having a reduced outlet or end, thematerial will accumulate in said lastmentioned hopper and cause the sameto descend, whereby it can furnish the necessary power for operating theoverloading and loadreducing valves successively.

The overloading-valve is designated by V, it being of theoscillatery-pan type, the arms 22 and 23 of said valve being pivoted, asat 24: and 25, respectively, to the opposite sides of the hopper, andone of said valvearms having a crank-arm, as 26, preferably connected toa suitable resistance device, as the bracket 5, whereby 011 the descentof the hopper H in the manner specified the valve V will be advanced orshut to arrest the supply of material to the load-receiver.

The crank-arm EU has pivoted thereto at its outer end the link t7, whichis likewise connected to the bracket 5.

One arm of the scale-beam ll has pivoted thereto the actuator B, thepivotal point being shown at 28, located neat-the poising end of thebeam, said actuator being in the form of a shiftable counterweightedlever, the weight 29 of which is furnished with a stop 30, resting onthe adjacent weight \V of the beam, whereby on the descent of the beammechanism the extended end 30 of the actuator will act as a stop forpreventing the hopper il. from descending too rapidly. \Vhen theactuator or lever B resumes its initial position, it returns or raisesthe hopper ll to its initial position. Said actuator is adapted totransfer its effect to the link or rod 31., bearing against the outerend of the same, said link been pivoted at its upper end to the arm 32,extending forward from the rockshaft 18. \Vhen the weighing mechanismdescends, the rod 31 will bear against the actuator B", so that thelatter acts to prevent the reciprocatory hopper from descending toorapidly.

The hopper 11 and valve V being in the positions shown in Fig. 1 astream of large volume will enter the receiver 1 and at a certain stagethe latter will be caused to descend, and the inner end of the actuator13, falling away from the link or rod 31, will permit the hopper II todrop by reason of the accumulation of material therein, and the valve V,by reason of its connection with the framework, is swung under thehopper to reduce and subsetptently-cut off the supplystream, thisoperation being completed when the load receiver is overloaded orovercharged, it being understood that theloadreceiver in the intervalhas descended below the so-called poising-line.

The load-reducing means in the present case embodies as a part thereof avalve, preferably reciprocatory across an opening in the load-receiver,as the outlet of the load reducing spout it), projecting downward nearthe lower end of the load-receiver. The loadreducing valve is designatedby V and is carried by the two-part shaft 41, journaled in suitablebrackets secured to the opposite sides of the load-receiver. Said valvenormally covers the discharge-opening of the spout 40, as shown in Fig.4-, to permit the overcharging of the load-receiver, said valve beingcaused to open by power furnished by the hopper 1'1, transferred througha suitable device, as the thrust-rod -12, said rod being pivoted at itsupper end to the rock-arm 1t) and connected by the link 13 to the arm 9of the rocking lever ll.

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The shaft 41 has secured thereto an arm -14, disposed in the path ofmovement of the thrust-rod 42, whereby at a predetermined stage, or whenthe load-receiver has been overloaded, the rod 42, by acting against thearm 44, will rock said arm and consequently the shaft 41 to permit thesurplus to pass from the load-receiver, as illustrated in Fig. 5, saidload-receiver being caused to rise as the surplus is withdrawntherefrom, so that a suitable device, as the actuating-weight 45 011 thevalve, will cause the valve to close as the rod 4C2 rises, it beingunderstood that said rod is elevated by reason of the actuator B actingagainst the rod 31 to rock the shaft 18 and consequently the arm 10.

A plurality of discharge-conduits are preferably employed, they beingdesignated by and 51 and are suitably secured below the weighingmechanism and adjacent to each other. The conduit 50 acts as a suitablemeans for receiving the surplus removed from the loadreceiver during theweighing of a load, it being situated below the spout 40. The materialdelivered into the conduit 50 can be disposed of in the manner shown andde scribed in the Letters Patent hereinbefore re ferred to. v

In connection with the conduits 50 and 51 a deflector, as D, isprovided, the same preferably consisting of a suitably-operated platepivoted at 53 to the upper end of the cut-away wall 54 of the conduit50, means being provided to hold the deflector in its normal andsubstantially vertical position, (illustrated in Fig. 4,) so that thematerial which is withdrawn from the load receiver during the weighingof a load can enter the conduit. hen the load is completed, it will bedischarged into the conduit 51, the deflector D being first shifted toprevent any material from entering the conduit 50.

The deflector D has suitably secured thereto at one end the cam-arm 55,counterweighted as at 56, said cam-arm being contiguous to and situatedbetween the rock-arms 57 and 58, secured, respectively, to theload-reducing valve V and the closer L, the two arms aeting as stops tomaintain the deflector in its normal position.

Then the surplus is withdrawn from the load-receiver, the true load willbe discharged therefrom, this operation being effected by the trippingof the latch L, which releases the closer, whereby the mass in thereceiver G, acting against said closer, will force the same open.

Any suitable means may be employed for tripping the latch, a by-passtripper T, pivotally supported upon the framework, being shown for thispurpose, said tripper being of the usual construction. iVhen theload-receiver nearly reaches the end of its descending movement, thelatch L will strike the bypass trippcr and swing the same to one side,as shown in Fig. 6. On the ascent of the loadreceiver and when thesurplus has been entirely withdrawn the latch will strike the tripper T,which is in the nature of an abutment, and the latch will be tripped anddisengaged from the arm 9 of the lever L, thereby releasing the closer.

On the discharge of the load means will act against the deflector or thecam to swing the deflector into position to cover the outlet 50, andsimultaneously with this operation the valve V will be opened to permitthe material in the spent 40 and on said valve to pass therefrom intothe conduit 51. The arm 58 on the closer serves as a means forsimultaneously shifting the deflector and opening the valve, as juststated.

iVhen the closer is open, as shown in Fig. 8, the arm 58, swingingrearward therewith, will ride along the working face of the cam 55 andmove the latter in a coinciding direction, whereby the deflector will beoperated to cover the outlet 50,and the upper end of the cam 55 being incontact with the valve-arm 57 the valve V will be swung open to permitthe material in the spout to drop to the deflector D, from whence it isdelivered into the conduit 51. The weight 56 on the shutting of thecloser acts as a convenient means for returning the deflector D to itsinitial position.

Means will be provided for shifting the rod out of contact with thevalve-arm 44: on the opening of the closer L, whereby said valve can beopened in the manner just specified.

The rod e2, as hereinbefore described, is connected with the lever L bythe link 43, and it will be apparent that as the closer opens the rod 13will be drawn downward and the lever-arm I) oppositely oscillated,where-' by the link 13 and rod 42 can be carried to the right, as shownin Fig. 8, said rod thereby being moved out of contact with the valvearm44.

In connection with the supply apparatus and the closerreciplocally-effective stops are provided, each being in position toblock the action of the other. Said stops are desig nated, respectively,by 60 and Ul,both being in the form of skeleton segments, the stop 60being secured to the rock-shaft 1S and the stop 61 being pivoted at 62to the loadreceiver G. The stop 61 is furnished with a crank-arm 63,connected by a rod 64 with the closer. \Vhen the stream is flowing intothe load-receiver G, the upper end of the stop (51 will be substantiallyin contact with the curved face of the stop 60, as shown in Fig. i, sothat should the latch L be tripped too soon the stop (31 can oscillatefora very short distance or until it abuts against the coopcrating stop(50, which arrests its further movement, itbein understood that thecloser L will be likewise held should such a contingency as thatdescribed arise.

\Vhen the supply has been entirely cutoff, the stop 60 will be swungacross the path of ICO oscillation of the stop (31, as shown in Figs. 5and 7, so that when the closer L is opened the stop 01 will be swungabout its center and its curved face will run substantially in contactwith the cooperating stop 60, thereby to prevent the retraction of thelatter, and hence the ascent of the hopper II and the opening of thevalve Y. \Vhen the closer shuts, the stop 61 will be returned to itsinitial position to release the cooperatin g stop (50.

The hoppers II and 11 are provided with doors 65 and 66, hinged,respectively, thereto and provided with hooked bolts or equiva lentmeans to hold the same shut, said doors being opened when desired forthe removal of any obstructions in the respective hoppers.

Means are preferably provided for regulating the speed of the machineand for also throwing the same out of action by governing the amount ofmaterial suppliedthereto, or by entirely cutting it off, such meansconsisting in the present case of the reciprocatory check-valve 70,preferably hand-opera ted and curved in form, said valve passing througha suitable aperture, as 7 1, in the front of the hopper and workingagainst the curved guide-tracks 72 on the opposite sides of said hopper,said valve having a sufficient stroke to permit it to abut against theinclined plate 7% in the hopper.

For the purpose of manipulating the slidevalve 70 it is secured to theupper end of the hand-lever 75, pivoted at 76 to the front side of thehopper and furnished with a handle 77. Said hand-lever is furnished witha project ing threaded stud, as 78, passing through the curvedguide-slot 79 in the segmental extension 80 011 the hopper. By movingthe slidevalve 70 toward and from the plate 7t the volume of the streamflowing from the hopper II can be varied and the valve can be maintainedin a fixed position by a stop-nut (not shown) engaging the stud 7S andbinding against the segmental extension 80.

The operation of the hereinbefore-described machine, briefly stated, isas follows: Fig. at represents the positions of the various parts at thecommencement of operation, the hopper II bein at the limit of itsupstroke and the valve l wide open, and the closer 'L and valve V beingin their shut positions, so that a stream of material from the hopper IIwill descend into the load-receiver, and when a certain percentage ofthe supply has been received said load-receiver, and consequently thebeam mechanism, will descend, whereby the valve V, by reason of itsconnection with the framework, will be closed under the outlet of thehopper II to cut off the stream therefrom. As the hopper descends andwhen the load-receiver is overloaded, as shown in Fig. 5, the thrust-rod42, connected with said hopper, will swing the load-red ucin g valve Yopen, as shown in Figs. at and 11, to permit the surplus to pass fromthe load-receiver and enter the conduit 50. As the material is withdrawnthe load-receiver will rise, the rod 42 being moved therewith, so thatthe valve can close, as shown, respectively, in Figs. (3, 1.52, and 13,it being fully closed or shut in the last-mentioned figure to stop thewithdrawal of material from the load-receiver. When the parts are intheirhighest positions, (shown in Fig. 4,) the latch L will be above thecooperating tripper T on the framework, and when the load receiverreaches the limit of its downstroke the latch will pass below itstripper. 011 the ascent of the load-receiver or the removal of thesurplus and when the load-receiver reaches the SOO2tllGt poisingline thelatch L will abut against the tripper T and will thereby be tripped, sothat the closer L is opened to discharge the load into the conduit 51.As the load-receiver opens it will shift the rod a2 out of contact withthe valve-arm l-t, as represented in Fig. 7, and at a point beyond thisoperation the arm 58 of said closer will ride along the face of the cam55 to cause the deflector D to cover the conduit 50, and said cam byacting against the valve-arm 57 will swing the valve V open, as shown inFigs. 8 and 1+, to permit the material in the load-reducing spent 40 andon the valve Y to pass therefrom and to the deflector D, the materialfrom. the spout entering the conduit 51 as it forms a part of thepredetermined load. \Vhen the material is all discharged from theload-receiver G, the closer will shut and the several parts will resumetheir primary positions to repeat the operation.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, wit-hweighing mechanism; of overloading and load reducing means, theoverloading means embodying a movably-mounted hopper; and meanscooperative with said hopper, for starting the load reducing means inoperation.

2. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a reciprocatory hopper;and means cooperative with said hopper, for starting the load-reducingmeans in operation.

3. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a movablymounted valvedhopper; and means cooperative with said hopper, for starting theloadredueing means in operation.

-l. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a movably mountedbalanced hopper; and means cooperative with said hopper, for startingthe load-reducin g means in operation.

5. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying avertically-reeiprocatory hopper; and means cooperative with said hopper,for start-ing the load-reducing means in operation.

0. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means the overloadin means embed 'iiW'a movably-moun'tedhopper; a valve control-- ling the passage of material from said hopper;and means cooperative with said hopper, for starting the load-red ucingmeans in operation and for also closing said valve.

7. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a movably-inountedhopper; a valve connected with said hopper; a link connected with thevalve and with a resistance device; an d means cooperative with themovably-motinted hopper, for starting the load-reducing means inoperation.

8. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a movably-mountedhopper; a valve pivoted to said hopper; a link connected, respectively,with the valve and the framework; and means cooperative with saidhopper, for starting the load-reducing means in operation.

9. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a movably-monnted hopperand the load-red ucing means embodying a valve; and means cooperativewith said hopper, for operating the valve.

10. The combination, with weighing mechanism; of overloading and loadreducing means, the overloading means embodying a movably-mounted hopperand the load-reducin g means embodying a valve carried by the weighingmechanism; and means cooperative with said hopper, for operating thevalve.

11. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiverhaving a spout; of overloading and load-reducing means, the overloadingmeans embodying a movably-inounted hopper and the load-reducing meansembodying a valve adapted normally to cover the outlet of the spout; andmeans cooperative with the hopper, for opening said valve at apredetermined stage.

12. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a movably-mounted hopper having a reduced end; a valve connected,respectively, with the hopper and the framework; a valve mounted on theload-receiver; a rod connected with the hopper and adapted to engage adevice cooperative with the last-mentioned valve, to open the same at apredetermined stage.

13. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver;ol' overloading and lOflCl-l'GtlllClDg means, the overloading meansembodying a movably-mounted hopper; means cooperative with saidmovablymounted hopper, for starting the load-reducing means inoperation; and a fixed hopper located above the movably-mounted hopper,to supply the same with material.

'14. The c'ombii'iation, with weighing mechanism including aload-receiver; oi overloading and load reducing means embodying amovably-monnted hopper, and the load-reducing means being carried by theload-receiver; and means cooperative with said hop per, for starting theload-reducing means in operation.

15. The combination, with weighing mechanism ineluding a load-receiver,of a valve; a shaft carrying the valve and supported by theload-receiver, said shaft being furnished with an arm; a reciprocatoryhopper; and a device connected with the reciproeatory hop per, forengaging said arm to operate the valve.

10. The combination, with weighing meclr anism including aload-receiver, of a recip roeatory hopper; a shaft having arms connectedwith the hopper; a valve; a second shaft for carrying the valve, saidlatter shaft being supported by the load-receiver and provided with anarm; and a rod connected with one of the first-mentioned arms andadapted to engage the last-mentioned arm.

17. The combii'iation, with weighing mech anism including aload-receiver, of a reciprocatory hopper; a shaft havingforwardlyextending arms pivoted to the hopper and a rearwardly-extendingarm furnished with a weight; a valve; a shaft for carrying said valve,said shaft being supported by the loadreceiver; and a rod connected withone of the first-mentioned arms and adapted to engage the last-mentionedarm to open the valve.

18. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a valve carried by the load-receiver; an actuator for the valve; adevice located between the actuator and the valve, for transferring thepower of the former to the latter; and means for shifting said device.

it). The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a valve carried by the load-receiver; an actuator for the valve; arod situated between the actuator and the valve, for transferring thepower of the former to the latter; and means for shifting said rod.

20. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of a valve carried by the loadreceiver; a movablymounted hopper,constitutingan actuator, for the valve; a rod situated between thehopper and the valve; and means for shifting said rod.

21. The combination, with weighing mech anism including a load-receiver,of a valve carried by the load-receiver; an actuator for the valve; adevice situated between the actuator and the valve, for transferring thepower of the former to the latter to operate the valve; meansforshiftingsaid device; and independent means for opening the valve whensaid device is shifted,

22. The combination, with weighing mechanism incli'iding aload-receiver, of a valve carried by the loadreceiver; an actuator forthe valve; a rod situated between the actuator and the valve, fortransferring the power ot' the former to the latter; means for shiftingthe rod; and means independent of the rod, for operating the valve.

23. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a loadreceiver,of a valve carried by the load-receiver; an actuator for the valve; arod situated between the actuator and the valve, for transferring thepower of the former to the latter, thereby to open said valve; means forshifting said rod, to permit the valve to close; and a deviceindependent of the actuator, for opening the valve subsequent to theshifting of said rod.

2-1;. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiverprovided with a closer, of a valve carried by the load-receiver; anactuator for the valve; a rod connected with the actuator and adapted totransfer the power thereof to the valve, to open the same; means forshifting said rod; and a device connected with the closer and adapted toopen the valve when the rod is shifted.

25. The combination, with weighing mech anism including a load-receiver,of a valve mounted on the load-receiver; a pair of arms connected withthe valve; a valve-act uator; a device adapted normally to engage one ofsaid arms and connected with the valve-actuator; instru mentalities forshifting the device out of operative relation with said arm; and meansfor-engaging the other arm of the valve when the device is shifted.

26. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiverprovided with a closer, of overloading and load-reducing means; aplurality of conduits; a deflector controlling the passage of materialinto said conduits; and means operative with the closer, forsimultaneously actuating the deflector and load-reducing means.

27. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of overloading means therefor; a loadaeducing valve; an actuator; a rodfor transferring the elieet of the actuator to the valve; and means forsuccessively shifting the rod and opening the valve.

28. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiverprovided with a closer, of overloading means; a load-reducing valve; anactuator; arod for transferring the power of the actuator to the valve;and means connected with the closer, for successively shifting said rodand operating the valve.

2.). The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of overloadt ing means; a load-reducing valve; an aetuator; a rod fortransferring the power of the actuator to the valve; a plurality ofconduits; a deflector for controlling the passage of material to saidconduits; and means for shitting the rod and deflector and for openingthe valve.

30. no combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiver,of overloading means; a loadreducing valve; a pair of arms; a pluralityof conduits; a deflector controlling the passage of material to therespective conduits; a cam secured. to the deflector and adapted toengage one of the arms; a rod in position to engage the other arm; anactuator connected with said rod; and means for shifting the latter.

31. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a lead receiverhaving a closer, of a load-reducing valve; a plurality of conduits; adeflector eoi'itrolling the passage of material to the respectiveconduits; a pair ofarms connected with the valve; a cam secured to saiddeflector and adapted to engage one of the arms; a rod located to engagethe other arm; an actuator connected with said rod; and an arm on thecloser, for engaging said cam.

32. The eombinz'ttion, with weighing mechanism incl uding aload-receiver, of overloading means therefor; a rocker; a load-reducingvalve mounted on the load-receiver; an actuator for the load-reducingvalve; and a device located between the actuator and the load-reducingvalve and connected with the rocker.

S3. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load -receiverhaving a closer, of a rocker connected with said closer; a load-reducingvalve mounted on the loadreceiver; an actuator; a rod for transferringthe power of the actuator to the valve, said rod being connected withthe rocker; and means independent of the actuator, for operating thevalve.

31-. The combination, with weighing mechanism including a load-receiverhaving a closer, of a load-reducing valve; an actuator; a rod fortransferring the power of the actuator to the valve; an arm; a cam forengaging said arm; an arm on the closer, cooperative with said cam; andmeans for shifting said red. X

FRANCIS ll. RICI'IARDS. \Vitnesses:

F. N. Cruse, ANDnnw FnncLsoN.

